Last December, Patrick Bannon was tabbed president of the BDA. After seven years with the 250-member nonprofit, Bannon hopes to continue promoting the vitality and growth of the city. Recently, the Reporter sat down with him to discuss current projects in the downtown corridor, this year’s legislative session and the lesson everyone can learn from recent tragedies in the headlines.

Reporter: What is the Bellevue Downtown Association?

Bannon: It’s a nonprofit membership organization. We currently have about 250 member organizations and these organizations represent the diversity of downtown Bellevue. A member doesn’t have to be located in downtown Bellevue. Membership is open to anyone, from large businesses, to property owners and developers. The organization has been around since 1974. It was launched in part to make sure a vision was ensured for downtown. [A vision] that concentrated growth in a certain area of the city to continue to foster public policy, to ensure downtown was thriving, and that it became the vital urban center that you see today. What started as a nine member organization back in 1974, has grown and evolved along with downtown. The mission of the organization is to position downtown as the economic and cultural heart of the Eastside. We consider downtown Bellevue as serving as the Eastside marketplace. And it plays an important role as a regional growth center for the entire Puget Sound region. Fortunately, downtown Bellevue is well connected with downtown Seattle, as well. The geographic location of downtown, as well as its growth pattern over the years, has made it a magnet for businesses, for retail, development growth and for what is really a residential base. A number of residents now call downtown home.

When we talk about downtown the city has a zoning designation that …it hasn’t changed for many many years…But of course there’s the influence of the medical district, the Wilburton Auto Row area, and others. So clearly downtown Bellevue isn’t where all the commercial activity is. It’s just where the greatest concentration of activity is, and where the greatest concentration of growth has occurred over the last four years.

The downtown association focuses on three areas. We promote downtown through marketing vehicles, through community events to draw people in to tell the downtown’s story, and we advocate for downtown Bellevue, which is why we get so deeply engaged in downtown issues, like transportation and planning policy. We’re doing whatever we can in a regional context, political framework and with decision making prospects to ensure that investments–whether they’re statewide or regional–create better access, mobility and policies that help us grow as envisioned.

So we promote and advocate, and then another part of our work, is a service that is called TransManage, a service we provide to buildings and the community at large, that really encourages alternatives to driving alone to get to Bellevue. We partner in some cases with the city and King County metro to promote programs around other alternative forms of travel. We also have contracts with buildings in downtown Bellevue to have commuter services. Companies in the state of Washington that have 100 employees or more have to have CTR plans.

We partner with the city on a program called Choose Your Way Bellevue and Downtown Bellevue on the Move. With buildings, for example, we will work with tenants of buildings to ensure they’re getting information about the transit options they have.

Reporter: How has the city and demographic changed through the years?

Bannon: For one, the workforce has grown and diversified significantly over the last 10 years, from 30,000-35,000 up to about 45,000. The residential population is the most dramatic change. According to the 2000 Census, we had 2,500 residents. Now we have well over 10,000–quite a jump. The Census also tells the story of the age change that went from 57 in 2000, to 34 in 2010, so it’s quite a dramatic shift. Growth and evolution has been a big part of the downtown’s story, and a big part of its success. The latest Census also tells the story of a change in age, from a median age of 57 in 2000, to 34 in 2010. You have to keep in mind that Bellevue is a very young city still. What we see today, is a vision fulfilled in a short amount of time.

Growth and evolution has been a big part of the downtown’s story, and a big part of its success. City planners and leaders in the late 70s decided that, for good economic reasons, as well as for planning reasons, to concentrate growth in downtown. The wheels were set in motion then…A lot of that vision is [due to the] commitment of the private sector working along with the public sector in maintaining a consistent vision [to create] a high quality economic engine for the city and region, and a growing attention to quality of place…Also, it’s the interconnectedness to residential neighborhoods that border downtown Bellevue.

Reporter: Are there specific issues you’ll be watching for this legislative session?

Bannon: One big priority is transportation. We work very hard to ensure downtown has the infrastructure needed to support both the current base of jobs and residents, but also to pave the way for the future. The assumptions, or targets for Bellevue, is a forecast to grow from that 45,000 base of employees to 70,000 by 2030. And to go from about 10,000 residents to 19,000 by 2030. Increasingly we know improvements are needed, and new investment is needed along 405, particularly. This session we’ll be joining with other organizations and elected officials to encourage continued funding for needed improvements, like those in the I-405 Master Plan. There are very few major new projects that aren’t already planned. It’s just a matter of finding the revenues…whether it be a gas tax or other revenue to ensure that the region’s mobility is in good shape moving forward. We’re not alone in thinking that. But that is one issue we’ll be tracking very closely.

Reporter: What development projects and initiatives are taking place in downtown this year?

Bannon: We’re seeing the economy rebound, and not just downtown, but regionwide. From all indications we’ll soon see another wave of new development. One marker is the office vacancy rate [of seven percent] in downtown Bellevue. There are several plans or new developments that both the city is aware of and …the design process and review is underway. It’s a matter of what, or who will be the tenants. We don’t know who those tenants are but those developers and projects are anticipating that demand. I would say over the next year or two, you’re going to see strong market demand for office, retail and housing. Downtown is well positioned for it as evidenced by the eBay lease, Expedia’s expansion and the Rockefeller/SRO announcement.

Kemper Development in Lincoln Square [will enter its] next phase that will match in size and character, its first. It’s a very exciting time for downtown Bellevue. We’re well positioned in the region. We’re a magnet for future workforce. We’re a magnet for residents and visitors…When you take a look at the work we do on a day-to-day basis, there are three things that guide us strategically. Does our work promote Bellevue as a thriving retail destination? Does our work foster a healthy and engaged residential neighborhood? And does our work attract an innovative workforce and knowledge companies. If we’re doing those three basic things, if we’re aligning our work plan, if we bring our leadership community together, then we’re looking after the future health and vitality of downtown, and by extension, the city and hopefully the region. Downtown currently generates about 26 percent of the city’s major tax sources, so the health of downtown is important for all.

Reporter: There’s been talk of the need to diversify the skyline. How do we achieve that?

Bannon: We’ve supported what the city is currently looking to do, to update the downtown land use code as part of an overall livability initiative. Much of the code is over 30 years old, so there are elements like the amenity incentive system, the assigned dimensional requirements for buildings and the urban design guidelines we feel will encourage an even higher quality of space for workers, residents and visitors.

That work, we believe, will lead to creating an even better place for downtown’s future. And that includes, I’m assuming, the incentives around affordable housing. There currently are [incentives], but there will be a way to figure out what makes sense for developers and residents that are moving into the units. So downtown Bellevue, just like the city as a whole, continues to reflect greater diversity. Ethnic diversity and the same demographic changes seen throughout the city, are represented here in downtown, as well. We look for opportunities to be responsive to that diversity [because] it’s important for the economy and for [creating a] hospitable downtown for as many people as possible–one that prioritizes public safety…Building public amenities such as plazas and parks, that’s a real partnership. Private development has contributed much of the attractive and accessible public space in downtown Bellevue. We’re blessed to have a wonderful 20-acre downtown park that is a focal point for recreation and play. But many of the public spaces are on private property and are accessible and bring people together…One other positive development we’re rooting for are cultural opportunities. Cultural opportunities include the development of Tateuchi Center and what that will bring not only to the city, but to the Eastside a performing arts venue. We believe if we have both infrastructure and the community supporting those opportunities we’re going to make downtown Bellevue that much more of a magnet for people in the future. Growth brings challenges too. It’s incumbent on the downtown community and city leadership to continue to embrace those challenges, represent diverse viewpoints and then to work toward that shared vision.

Reporter: What are the code updates you referred to earlier?

Bannon: The work program is just kicking off on this. What the city and the community is doing, is taking a look at what’s currently in place and figuring out if there are improvements that will make development that much more attractive, and better able to fill that demand. [We’re] looking at making downtown even more walkable and accessible, a livable environment. [Those updates] would [look at, for example] building forms and does it make sense for buildings to go a little higher, but be skinnier. The work program doesn’t contemplate major changes to the planned density of Bellevue, but it will look for opportunities to improve built environments, the form and function of buildings in public spaces.

Reporter: How does that play into the city’s livability initiative?

Bannon: The council has just evaluated a set of principles…and is looking at forming an advisory body and looking into integrating the work with the transportation plan update for Bellevue too. It’s really important for transportation planning and land use planning to sync up and be coordinated. I think the community is very supportive around improving, and making changes from the planning context to make downtown even better. It creates value for everyone. That includes visitors, residents and employees and those who own property downtown.

Reporter: Recent events, like the tragic shooting on Christmas Eve, point to the challenges and consequences of city growth. How is the BDA learning from these?

Bannon: As an organization that has a broad base and a diverse base of members, public safety is such a high priority for everyone involved in the planning and future of downtown Bellevue. We can learn from a tragic incident like this, and I know the city and the private sector will continue to make public safety a top priority. This should be a major emphasis for any growing downtown.

Clearly unfortunate incidents may occur in any populated place, but we can do our best to prepare and make sure they don’t happen again.

Reporter: In addition to its diverse demographic, Bellevue is recognized for its many diverse foreign born businesses. How does that add to the fabric of the city?

Bannon: It’s key to the success of a community, incorporating the success of that community, and to looking for ways to make a community hospitable. Whether it’s an arts fair, music programming…we have also launched a jazz festival too…it can only strengthen our cultural fabric as a community.

Reporter: Tell me about yourself. How did you find your way to the BDA?

Bannon: I’ve been with the downtown association for over seven years. I came from working in PR agencies in Seattle, and before that in LA. My wife and I moved to the area in 1999 for a job opportunity. We currently live in Kirkland. The Eastside is our home. We spend a lot of time in downtown Bellevue obviously. I was born in Overland Park, Kansas, which is near Kansas city. I moved as a teen to southern California. My father had a job change. I completed high school there and went to college there.

Reporter: After seven years with the BDA, what does this title mean for you?

Bannon: Well my role over the last seven years has been working largely with issues and policy important to downtown Bellevue. It has really deepened and ignited my interest…for the rest of the community. It is a real passion of mine–the vitality of downtown Bellevue, and what it means to have a healthy downtown for a community. So the change in roles is one just as you can imagine: Time management and prioritization of what needs to be done. We have a very strong talent pool at the BDA, a deep pool of talent. From event planning to transportation and community marketing, it’s really a deeply talented team. Leslie (Lloyd), my predecessor, has laid a very firm foundation for a healthy and effective organization. I hope to build on that in support of our strategic plan. The work of the BDA really never ends. It’s an ongoing task to ensure our downtown thrives and truly serves as an economic and cultural heart of the Eastside. And we’re going to continue to reflect the strengths and ideas of the community. And hopefully we’ll work collaboratively with city leadership on the community issues, and then continue to work on regional collaboration on the Eastside and throughout the Puget Sound region …We not only want downtown Bellevue to thrive, but also the downtowns of other Eastside communities…As we thrive, other communities will thrive and vice versa. We want downtown Seattle to do well, and I believe Seattle wants downtown Bellevue to do well.

Reporter: What are some of those regional partnerships you’d like to see?

Bannon: We’re closely engaged in economic development initiatives. There are other regions in the country that do a fabulous job promoting their region to attract people to live and work in their area. We’d like to continue to be a part of that work, to improve what we do, to share our story…with the world and with employers that downtown Bellevue is an exciting hub, not only for working, but for planting roots and growing as a community. Transportation, though, is a big thing and something we know we can make a difference on. [Transportation is something we know] we can see both the near and long term benefits to. We embrace a strategy for transportation that ensures greater mobility for the commuters of downtown. So it is about creating more options for people to get to and from downtown, whether it be by car, or by bus, or eventually by light rail, or by foot, or by bicycle. We’re focused on all areas and know we have to continue to find new ways to match the growth we plan for.

Reporter: Is there anything else I didn’t touch on, that you would want to share with readers?

Bannon: I’d just want to reinforce the optimism around the future of downtown, and around the Eastside, itself. We have a great amount of passion and energy to bring together to improve our city. Bellevue is a great base of employment, a very generous philanthropic private sector, and it’s well positioned to address the community needs not always visible.

NOTE: The interview that appeared in the Jan. 25 2013 issue was edited for size and clarity. The online version is the full transcript.